A simplified logistics model for integrating BIMAT and IBSAL to estimate harvest costs, energy input and emissions

The Agriculture and Agri-Food’s Biomass Inventory Mapping and Analysis Tool (BIMAT) provides internet-based GIS functionality to query and visualize biomass inventory data in Canada. The Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model is a modularized simulation of biomass supply chain. In this study, IBSAL modules are assembled to simulate harvesting of straw, stover, and switchgrass yields. The operations in this study started from combining for grain crop residues and ended in stacking bales on the field side. The equation C=aR^b Y^c was fitted to the simulated data to estimate constants a, b, and c for cost in $/dry tonne, energy input in MJ/dry tonne, and carbon emissions in kg CO2/dry tonne. Variable R is the fraction of above ground biomass removed during harvest and Y is the yield defined as biomass above ground (dry tonne/ha). These functions are supplied to the BIMAT portal and developed specific values for costs, energy input, and emissions on the map. The farm gate cost cost for the stacked bales ranged from $20 per dry tonne for high yielding regions of southwest Edmonton and Ontario to $27 per dry tonne for the eastern Ottawa region, and $31 per dry tonne for low yielding regions of central Saskatchewan. The costs are validated with published custom rates. It is recommended that the next step is to integrate IBSAL and BIMAT codes so the logistics values are generated and shown automatically on the map.